BC Vintage Theatre, the Oldest in Canada, Returns to Its Glory Days

The Patricia Theatre in Powell River, B.C., is one of the few remaining atmospheric theatres in Canada. Courtesy of Gary Shilling

In Powell River on B.C.’s northern Sunshine Coast, a local theatre has been entertaining residents for more than a century. With its classic red curtains and European-style architecture, the recently restored Patricia Theatre stands in stark contrast to the modern world—and preserves a piece of Canadian history.

Opened in 1913, the Patricia is the longest-running theatre in the country and the only theatre in Powell River. It has been restored over the past few years, adding some modern conveniences while staying true to its historic charm.

“It’s been a part of the community pretty much since the beginnings of Powell River, so it’s an important community gathering place,” Gary Shilling, executive director of the qathet Film Society, which manages the theatre, said in an interview.

“It’s also architecturally significant because it has what’s known as Spanish revival architecture, and you don’t see that very often in Canada.”

Spanish Revival architecture is a style inspired by Spanish colonial history that is more common in California, Florida, and Texas. It often features traditional elements like low-pitched clay tile roofs, white stucco walls, decorative cornices, and wrought iron.

Interior view of the Patricia Theatre in Powell River, B.C. Courtesy of Gary Shilling

To restore the theatre to its grandeur, Shilling says workers replaced the roof and all the windows, painted the exterior, updated the concession and bathrooms, and put new carpeting in the lobby and balcony.

They also added some modernizing touches including air conditioning, comfortable seating, and a new sound system.

Rare ‘Atmospheric’ Theatre

A visit to the Patricia Theatre reveals more than the typical film venue. Its walls are decorated with elaborate blue peacock-themed murals, a design known as atmospheric theatre that was popular in the late 1920s.

“[The murals] replicate the idea of being in an outdoor space and seeing live theatre,” Shilling said. “So it’s meant to activate the space, engage people, and give a warmer, more comfortable feeling to the auditorium.”

The Patricia Theatre in Powell River, B.C. Courtesy of Gary Shilling

Along with Capitol Theatre in Port Hope, Ont., and the Columbia Theatre in New Westminster, B.C., the Patricia Theatre is one of the few remaining atmospheric theatres in the country.

During the restoration, workers repaired the murals, which had peeling paint and crumbling plaster. All that remains to complete the restoration is the canopy, which Shilling said will be finished this year or next spring at the latest.

But it won’t feature the typical neon lights, as neon signs were just being invented when the theatre first opened. They will replicate the original canopy, made with a more traditional and equally charming technique—backlit stained glass.

“We’re calling it ‘returning it to its original glory days,’” said Shilling.

A Historic Landmark: A Journey Back to 1912

Despite its long history, the theatre was once on the brink of closure.

As the theatre’s owner approached retirement age and planned to sell it around the time of the pandemic, Shilling says the community was faced with a decision: to stand up for Patricia’s preservation or let it go to developers who were probably eyeing it for the property value.

“The film society decided that it was important to save the theatre for future generations,” he said. “[We] reached out to the community and did a fundraiser to save the theatre.”

The community raised over $200,000 and, with matching funds from a provincial government grant, the film society—a charitable non-profit—bought the theatre in 2021. Shortly afterward, the restoration began.

The Patricia Theatre in Powell River, B.C. Courtesy of Gary Shilling

The Patricia Theatre is one of the main attractions of the urban area. Shilling says the city core, where the theatre sits, “looks very much like it was in 1912,” with many old houses and churches that take visitors on a trip back in time.

“People come for that experience,” he said.

Helping Youth Unplug

Shilling says their efforts to save the Patricia were inspired by more than a desire to preserve history. They wanted residents and visitors to experience community life—the traditional way.

“In today’s world, everybody is connected online, and everybody is staring at their phones,” he said, adding that watching a movie at home and chuckling once or twice doesn’t compare to being in a theatre full of people laughing together.

“You kind of get swept up in the energy of it,” he said. “The community experience, the communal experience, is still really important.”